The Complete Protein

Lentils are a miracle bean and are, bar none, my favorite bean.  While all beans are an excellent source of protein, many are considered incomplete proteins because they lack all of the essential amino acids that make a food a complete protein.  Lentils, however, have enough of these essential amino acids to be considered a complete protein, making them the perfect substitute for meat products.

Lentils have a fairly mellow flavor making them a great way to stretch many meals.  If you are making a casserole using hamburger, try cutting the amount of hamburger in half and substituting with lentils.  It will drastically cut the cost of your meal without sacrificing nutrition.  Lentils also make a great main source of protein in meals because their flavor allows them to be used in soups, stews, casseroles, pizzas, pastas, and more!

How to Cook Lentils

Unlike most beans, there is no soaking required to cook lentils.  Just put them in a pot of water and boil them for twenty minutes or until the skins crack when cooled.

Once cooked, you can toss them in any dish making them a great option for a quick meal.  While they can be frozen, I find it is rarely necessary since they cook so quickly.

A tip for mother's of infants, if you are concerned about your child's iron intake, try lentils.  They are small and soft, making them the perfect infant finger food and are an excellent source of iron.  Both of my children love them!

I encourage you to buy a bag of lentils (only about a dollar a pound) and experiment.  If meat prices are really putting a dent in your budget, try tossing some lentils in your favorite dishes.  You will find that they work well in almost anything.

One of my favorite lentil recipes is Depression Casserole.  It is the perfect example of how lentils can stretch your meat.  Or try Lentil Soup for a recipe in which the lentils are the main protein.

Check out the rest of my Bean Series:
Navy Beans
Pinto Beans
Kidney Beans